Head of Decapitated King Returned to Ghana

After nearly two centuries in the Netherlands, the head of King Nana Badu Bonsu II has been returned to Ghana. In the 1830s, the Ahanta King allegedly ambushed and killed the Dutch colonial soldiers who occupied the region, during an exchange of hostilities, according to the Ghana News Agency.

The attack on the Dutch soldiers was a grave offense to the Dutch, who colonized the area that is now known as Ghana. The king was court-martialled, and was sentenced to death by hanging. His head was then removed, and sent to Holland. It was eventually taken to the Leiden University Medical Centre, where it was used for research.

The king’s remains came to the attention of Dutch historian Arthur Japin in October 2008. After a six month period of negotiations between the Ghana Embassy and the Dutch government, it was decided that the remains would be returned to Ghana, where they would receive a traditional burial. On July 22, 2009, a seven-member delegation from the Ahanta Traditional area arrived in the Hague to take possession of the remains.